Search
Search:
Sort results by:
Ads
Search results for : Doctors
Search
Showing 1 to 10 of 1000 results
Receivables spike 30 at Doctors Hospital
Self-paid customers are on the rise at Doctors Hospital, Guardian Business can reveal, as tough economic times have driven receivables up 30 percent.
Patients that cannot handle their bills have caused the BISX-listed company to engage "a number of agencies" to try and recoup more than $5 million in outstanding monies, according to Charles Sealy, the CEO of Doctors Hospital.
He said the spike in receivables is indeed a "sign of the times", and indicative of the high unemployment rate and Bahamians trimming back on healthcare coverage to make ends meet.
"When we look at receivables, it comes from self-paid customers. We're seeing an increase in this area, in terms of those who don't have third-party insurance," Sealy explained. "A number would have lost their jobs and lost group insurance benefits. When they seek to reduce their expenditures, they will sometimes drop their healthcare to take care of other necessities."
While the hospital has hired "internal and external" agencies to collect outstanding funds, the problem, he added, is you are going after individuals who simply don't have the ability to pay.
The situation is especially difficult in healthcare, as the establishment is reluctant to turn anyone down that needs medical attention.
Sealy emphasized to Guardian Business that the institution works with every customer that's having trouble with medical bills, adding that Doctors Hospital does not intend on denying access whenever possible.
The Doctors Hospital chief said an eventual decline in receivables and self-paid customers will be a good indicator that the economy is in a state of recovery. When this happens, management will consider large infrastructure projects.
Earlier this year, Guardian Business revealed that Doctors Hospital has designed an extension to the main Shirley Street location that would nearly double its size.
The project would provide superior care to Bahamians, and could also enable the private hospital to increase its medical tourism product.
"We are watching to see if the times change before we make capital injections," he said. "That will cost a significant penny. We hope to stagger the growth, but the economy still needs to rebound."
What will go ahead as planned, however, is the new Blake Road facility in western New Providence. The CEO told Guardian Business that the project has been pushed back about two weeks. The clinic should open in mid-June, he said.
He explained that the opening of Blake Road will be an opportunity to expand international care. By the beginning of September, Doctors Hospital should see international patient programs becoming part of the regular menu.
Of course, the expansion will also come at a cost. "It won't be significant in terms of revenue in the first year," according to the CEO.
The $1.2 million clinic makes up a large portion of Doctors Hospital's capital expenditure for this year, with various upgrades to equipment at the main facility expected to occur.
According to its annual report for the year ending January 31, 2012, the BISX-listed company saw a 66 percent increase in net income for fiscal 2012 despite major increases in costs.
Sealy revealed electricity costs, licenses and duties on equipment continue to be challenges. However, Doctors Hospital has and will continue to invest in efficient technology to help reduce costs, targeting a 10 percent decrease in operating costs for this year.
Apart from the Blake Road facility, there is also reason to believe that the hospital's revenue could rise. The Doctors Hospital CEO said a growth strategy to the Family Islands is underway, looking at "tele-medicine" services. The institution would offer its services to establishment clinics on those islands and offer service through video conferencing.
"It is an opportunity to increase the quality of healthcare in the country," Sealy said. "Being an archipelago comes with challenges. A monitor can be established at these facilities, and if someone presents themselves there, the doctor will have access to an emergency room doctor at Doctors Hospital."
Billing could be done on a case-by-case basis, he added, or a rental fee may be charged to the Family Island facility.
Costs Rise 1.3M At Doctors Hospital
Doctors Hospital saw its expenses skyrocket by $1.3 million during the first six months of this year, presenting an ongoing challenge for the delivery of high-quality care.
Praise for The Rand, its Doctors and Nurses
Last week I returned from having spent four nights at Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport for what began as a medical
emergency.
Larry King TV shows puts focus on Doctors Hospital
DOCTORS Hospital and the Bahamas will be featured this summer on the documentary series In View, hosted by legendary talk show host Larry King.
Larry King TV shows puts focus on Doctors Hospital
DOCTORS Hospital and the Bahamas will be featured this summer on the documentary series In View, hosted by legendary talk show host Larry King.
Carey appointed to Doctors Hospital board
Doctors Hospital has announced that human resources executive Karen Carey has been appointed to the company's Board of Directors.
Carey, who serves as senior vice president of human resources at Kerzner International (Bahamas) Limited fills a position made vacant by the untimely death last year of Dr. Keva Bethel.
"We are fortunate to have someone with Karen Carey's experience and expertise in human resources and operational business planning join the organization at this level," said Doctors Hospital Chairman Joe Krukowski, adding "as Doctors Hospital continues to develop new channels of business to ensure the company remains the leader in healthcare in The Bahamas, it is important that we continue to seek out industry leaders to help lead the way."
Karen Carey is a member of the executive team at Atlantis and the One&Only Ocean Club, leading the human resources strategy with a combined workforce of more than 7,500. Her experience in policy design and administration, cost and revenue improvements and employee and customer engagement were key to her selection.
Another factor in the decision to ask Karen Carey to join the board was her experience in the hospitality industry.
"As we continue with our plan to re-open the Western Medical Plaza in just a few months and expand and develop our International Patient Program, it seemed natural that we look to the hospitality industry to fill this position at the board level," explained Doctors Hospital President Barry Rassin.
Carey has extensive experience in the Bahamian hospitality industry and is excited to bring that knowledge to another industry seeking to create direct linkages to the tourism field.
"I am delighted to join such a talented team of individuals. I look forward to contributing to the shared vision for Doctors Hospital's growth and market expansion," she said.
Doctors Hospital remains the first and only acute care facility in the region to earn Joint Commission International accreditation and is committed to providing the highest level of healthcare to Bahamians and to international patients seeking healthcare in The Bahamas.
Doctors Hospital Medical Assistance Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas
Doctors Hospital Donated Funding, Medical Staff Team Ambulance and Volunteer Assistance to Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas Given the fact that we work and live in such beautiful surroundings everyday, we tend to take for granted the reasons millions of tourist visit our shores each year.
Over 300 Cuba-trained Guyanese doctors to return home next year
With much emphasis placed on improving the healthcare system, 301 Guyanese doctors, trained in Cuba, are expected to return home next year to begin service in their homeland.
Doctors Hospital unveils new visitation policy
Family members and friends visiting patients at Doctors Hospital will be required to present an official form of identification, and check in at a welcome desk before being permitted to go up to the patient floors, effective Monday, June 18.
The new policy is designed to ensure that Doctors Hospital establishes and maintains a quiet and safe environment that is conducive to healing.
"This policy is not being enacted in reaction to any security issues, rather we are mindful that we have a duty to make our patients as comfortable as possible while they are convalescing in our hospital and ensure that they, their visitors and our associates are able to heal, visit and work in a safe environment," explained Vice President of Clinical Services Cynthia Sawyers.
Requiring visitors to sign in and be accounted for is also in keeping with the requirements set out by Joint Commission International. Doctors Hospital achieved JCI recognition in 2010 and remains the only acute care hospital in the Caribbean region to be recognised for meeting and maintaining the very highest international standards.
Starting Monday, June 18th, a welcome desk will be set up at the base of the elevator bay that leads to the operating theaters, delivery rooms, recovery bays, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and all patient rooms.
Visitors will be required to check in at the desk, present a valid official form of identification like a passport, drivers license or voter's card and provide the name of the patient they wish to visit.
So long as there are not already two visitors with that patient or any other patient, family or physician-imposed visitation restrictions, the guest will be issued a badge and allowed to enter the elevators.
Each badge will clearly identify the floor, room and bed that a visitor has been granted permission to go to, and nurses stationed on each floor will assist visitors in getting where they are supposed to go.
"Although we will have a general policy of limiting visitors to two per patient, we recognize that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances where flexibility will be required, and so in those situations additional badges will be made available," said Sawyers.
Doctors Hospital's visitor hours remain 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for patient rooms, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the ICU.
"We realize that the new policy will require a change in practice and habit for many who have visited patients at Doctors Hospital in the past, but it is our hope that the public will understand that the new policy will help us create an even better environment for their family and loved ones," Sawyers said.
Doctors Hospital gets top honor
On Wednesday, Doctors Hospital became the first hospital in the Caribbean to achieve international accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI), a worldwide leader in improving the quality of healthcare.
JCI is the global arm of the US-based Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the same body that certifies over 18,000 hospitals in the US.
Ads
| 
| 